Lost Soul Aside will be region-locked for over 130+ countries on Steam, causing significant frustration among PC gamers, many of whom are now choosing not to purchase the game. This article delves into the details of the region lock and recent insights from the game's director.
Lost Soul Aside Locked For 130+ Countries At Launch
Players Frustrated With Lost Soul Aside Being Region-Locked
UltiZero Games' Lost Soul Aside is set to launch with a region lock, much to the dismay of gamers worldwide. Sony's continued restrictions on PlayStation-published games are the cause, with SteamDB confirming that the game will be unavailable in over 130+ countries where PlayStation Network (PSN) is not supported.
Interestingly, Lost Soul Aside does not require a PSN account to play. Yet, the region lock prevents the game from appearing on Steam in countries without PSN support. To circumvent this, players must create a new Steam account in a country where PSN is available—a move that has baffled many, especially since PlayStation recently eliminated PSN requirements for their PC titles. This decision has sparked outrage among PC gamers, with widespread expressions of frustration on social media and forums, leading many to boycott the game.
Lost Soul Aside Will Blend Fantasy Elements With Realistic Visuals
Since its initial announcement in 2016, Lost Soul Aside has maintained its unique style, blending fantasy with realistic visuals. In an IGN interview on February 20, 2025, UltiZero Games CEO Yang Bing discussed the game's inspiration and consistent visual style.
Bing emphasized that the game's aesthetic and combat style, known for its high speed and flashy action, have remained true to the original concept showcased in the 2016 trailer. He noted, "So this is something that we have been sticking to for all these years. During this development process, we, of course, continued to see some new and excellent works, which maybe we got some influence through, [on] our thought along the way. So from the beginning, this personal trailer gradually evolved into a more mature and well-run version, I should say."
Bing also highlighted the influence of Final Fantasy 15, which similarly blends realism and fantasy. The game's protagonist, Kaser, embodies this blend with his cartoonish facial features and hairstyles paired with realistic textures for his skin, hair, and clothing.
Influences From Final Fantasy, Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, and Devil May Cry
Lost Soul Aside draws inspiration from several iconic Japanese games, including Final Fantasy, Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, and Devil May Cry. These influences are evident throughout various aspects of the game, as shared by Yang Bing in an interview with Famitsu on February 20, 2025.
Bing pointed out that the design of Kaser is heavily influenced by the Final Fantasy series. He explained, "I had a designer design the clothes for the main character, and I wanted to combine realistic and fantasy elements, just like in FF. After the clothes are designed, they are actually made and reproduced in the game. By doing so, we thought that the players would feel as if it actually existed, and that the main character, Kazel, would also feel as a bloody, realistic character."
Regarding the game's combat and pacing, Bing cited Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, and Devil May Cry for their fast-paced, flashy combat. He stated, "We're also constantly improving and refining the combat system, maintaining a sense of speed in combat while also adding a certain amount of depth. Players can develop their own style, and even if they are not good at sequential moves, they can use various systems to achieve high performance and make the game go smoothly."
Lost Soul Aside is scheduled for release on May 30, 2025, for PlayStation 5 and PC. Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated title.
